Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with COVID-19 underwent surgical tracheotomy between 16th March and 31st December 2021. All surgical tracheostomies were performed in the operating theatre. The average duration of intubation prior to tracheotomy and tracheostomy to ventilator liberation was 16 days and 27 days respectively. Only five patients were successfully liberated from the ventilator, decannulated, and discharged successfully. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first and largest study describing tracheotomy outcomes in COVID-19 patients in Tanzania. Our results revealed a high mortality rate. Multicenter studies in the private and public sectors are needed in Tanzania to determine optimal timing, identification of patients, and risk factors predictive of improved outcomes.
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Authors | Nadeem Kassam, Ally Zain, Sajida Panjwani, Salim Surani, Omar M Aziz, Kamran Hameed, Samina Somji, Hanifa Mbithe, Fatma Bakshi, Bonventura Mtega, Gloria Kinasa, Mariam Msimbe, Blessing Mathew, Eric Aghan, Harrison Chuwa, Christopher Mwansasu |
Journal | Cureus
(Cureus)
Vol. 14
Issue 12
Pg. e32245
(Dec 2022)
ISSN: 2168-8184 [Print] United States |
PMID | 36620782
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2022, Kassam et al. |